Racing: Grand National tilt unlikely

John McKay will probably resist the chance to start Kalsoy in the Grand National Steeples in August.

Even though the 11-year-old bagged another win over the big fences in yesterday's Pyne Gould Guinness Homeby Steeplechase at Riccarton, McKay said what was best for the horse would always come first.

"A National would be a bit over the top of his stamina range and I don't think we'd run him," said McKay, who trains in partnership with his wife Teria.

"We will take him to Timaru [July 24], then on to Riccarton for the first day of the National meeting.

"I really think the National would find him out and, to be fair, the 4000 metre trips are about at the top of his range.

"It's just too big an ask."

Watching the Homeby from Oamaru, McKay admits to having his heart in his mouth for a few strides at the half-way point of the race.

Rider Tane Belsham had cut a corner to save ground about 2000 metres from home, almost going inside the gap leading back onto the course proper.

The pair had run off at the same part of the track last year, and Belsham was lucky this time to avoid a near- disaster.

"I thought, oh no, not again Tane," said McKay. "Thankfully, he avoided another drama."

At the veteran's stage, Kalsoy has been a remarkable horse for the McKays. A run of leg injuries, serious enough to retire him, have yet to end his outstanding career.

"Three years ago he tore a tendon and was out for six months. At his age we thought we may as well press on. So he had three months behind the pacers to build back up and made it back to the races.

"But a wee tweak of the tendon again had him out for a further six months.

"He came back in and jogged on the all-weather track behind the pacers again. I think that really helped to tighten the tendon up.

"I don't know how much longer we'll go on with him. To be fair, the handicapper will catch up with him in the South Island and he isn't a Trentham sort of horse.

"I'd love to have him back at Easter time for the centennial running of the Great Western Chase' at Riverton.

"We'll see how we stand then."